staff bios
AGAPE Learning takes careful consideration in choosing our staff. Each one is personally interviewed and background checked. Many are skilled in their specific area, home school educators, former school teachers, and college professors.
Daphne Bickley
Karate, Violin & Viola
Daphne Bickley is from Lake Lure, NC, with 16 years of mixed martial arts experience and a lifelong dedication to athletics. Beginning her training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at age 7 under black belt professors Michael and Bryan Baldwin at Gracie Barra Cross Training Academy, she honed her skills there for 9 years. Concurrently, Daphne competed on the varsity boys' wrestling team at RS Central High School for three years under Coach Rich Cox. During her college years in Baltimore, MD, Daphne trained with the Johns Hopkins Jiu Jitsu Club, contributed to the Ground Control Mixed Martial Arts Owings Mills School, teaching kids' jiu jitsu, striking, and wrestling classes. She possesses extensive experience in Gi and No Gi grappling and has added to her repertoire by concentrating on striking martial arts, including Boxing, Kenpo Karate, and Mixed Martial Arts, for the past five years. Daphne emphasizes the importance of well-rounded martial arts training for both self-defense and sports contexts. She currently trains with certified mixed martial artist Dexter Bridges, a Kenpo and Tai Kwon Do black belt and experienced scholastic wrestling coach. Daphne values the skills and self-confidence gained through studying mixed martial arts and hopes to lead by example in her teaching, demonstrating the values of strength, honor, humility, and self-discipline.
RACHEL CHANEY
Physical Education
Hi, I am Rachel Chaney. Wife to Adam and mom/educator to four energetic sons, Jack, Sam, Levi, and Luke. The outdoors, movement, sports, and health have been foundational aspects of my life from a very young age. In my youth I was a competitive gymnast and diver, peaking with a successful college diving career. I have a bachelors Business Administration Human Resources from University Wisconsin Oshkosh. In more recent years I enjoy hiking, biking, and even running when I get convinced to run a 1/2 marathon. My goal is to help develop individuals who have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to enjoy a lifetime of healthy physical activity through personal responsibility, balance, endurance, strength, flexibility, spacial awareness, and fun. Thank you for the opportunity to play a small role in your child’s physical education.
DANIEL & JENI DOVER
Adventure Kids & AGAPE Director
Daniel and Jeni love being surrounded by the wildness of nature. They have 3 children and have been homeschooling/life-schooling for 17 years. They own and operate Darby Farms Wellness, known for their nationwide line of locally made wellness supplements. Daniel loves permaculture and educating others in land management to work with and heal the land. Jeni loves to feel the flow of creating! Fun facts: Jeni was a collegiate softball pitcher who owned a training facility before moving to NC. And she loves riding her mountain bike! Fun facts about Daniel: He spends most of his life outdoors, but has a degree in computer science. When he was younger he worked for the US National Park System. *They fell in love in Wyoming while visiting The Grand Tetons and Yellowstone.
LYNN HARMON
Yoga
Lynn Harmon has over 15 years experience leading breath initiated yoga classes. Lynn began her personal practice in 2006. She quickly began to feel and see a positive change. Her relationships improved, and she began to feel lighter and more present. Instead of reacting she began to act. She completed her 200 hour teacher training in 2009 and has been teaching ever since. Lynn just moved to Lake Lure last year, and is currently building a small cabin with her family. She uses her breath as tool to help her through the challenging moments but also to keep her grounded so she can enjoy the beautiful moments, too. She continues to study and grow everyday and shares her knowledge with her students.
JORDAN & ELLE MATCHIN
Spanish & Co-Cooking
Jordan and Elle Matchin, here! We have lived in ROCO for two years and couldn’t have imagined a better place to settle. We are two artists with five kids! We are passionate about community involvement, art, traveling, the many animals we have, our homestead, and homeschooling our kids. Elle studied Hospitality Management and owned a full service bakery in Matthews NC. She has over 10 years of professional baking and cooking experience, which she loves to share with children who are excited to be in the kitchen! Jordan is a passionate artist who has owned two tattoo studios for 12 years. His late brother was fluent in Spanish, and inspired Jordan’s journey to learn Spanish fluently. Though not a native speaker, Jordan has put countless hours in to studying and mastering the language and cultures surrounding the language. We can’t wait to see you all this year and meet your eager learners! Much love.
MARIE COLE
Piano, Cello, Music Mind Games
Hi, my name is Marie and I really enjoy teaching music because of the joy it brings everyone who experiences music. I have been sharing my knowledge and love of music for over 30 years and my students continue to teach me new things every day! I have a BM(Bachelor of Music) from UNC-Chapel Hill and a MM(Master of Music) from UCONN. My family and I live on a farm with cows, chickens, a rooster, a dog and cats. We have recently acquired a camper and are very excited to embark on new adventures!
BRANDON DAGGERHART
Piano & Drums
With over thirty-five years of experience in piano and drums, Brandon strives to instill a love for lifelong learning and musical enjoyment in his students. Having studied at the University of North Carolina Greensboro, he continues honing his skills with a leading piano educator at Gardner-Webb. His teaching philosophy revolves around a "Fundamentals First" approach, prioritizing music theory and technique. He designs engaging and enjoyable lessons for all age groups, catering to each student's unique learning style and interests. These lessons encompass note and chord reading, theory, technique, ear training, and performance skills. When not teaching, he can be found either crafting Dungeons and Dragons worlds and adventures, or reading up on the Franklin Expedition.
MERIANA DUBOSE
Wacky Creatures & Preschool Assistant
My name is Meriana DuBose and I am driven to teach because I love creating opportunities for kids to experience joy through learning something new. Expressing creativity, feeling proud of a new accomplishment, or just encouraging curiosity are all rewarding parts of seeing kids learn! I love the subject English and I have a creative side! So anytime I get the opportunity to combine words, music, and art is a lot of fun for me! Fun fact about me: I love to sing! I have two beautiful little girls (age 3 and 1) and my husband and I have been married for 11 years. I have a Bachelor's degree and I majored in English and Christian Studies. Before becoming a full time stay-at-home mama, I worked as a medical coder and loved it!
INDIE DANIELLE JONES
Art & Get Muddy (pottery)
As a life long learner, artist, and educator, I’m so excited to share my love of fine art with the students at Agapé Learning. As a homeschool mom of two, a graduate of the Savannah College of Art & Design (BFA, Graphic Design / Photography), and a freelance graphic designer, I find joy in creating with students in the classroom and allowing them to explore different art mediums through painting, drawing, and clay work. Outside the classroom, you’ll always find me creating or learning something new. Every day is an opportunity to grow and learn more! I look forward to seeing you in the classroom.
JOSIE KAY
Tasting History, Crochet, Reading Games
Josie Kay lives on a small farm in Rutherford County with her husband and daughter. She is a lover of history, folklore, handicrafts, and cooking. When she isn't in the classroom she is helping with Hopeworks, a mentor program for teens through Blue Ridge Hope, or reading historical fiction.
MATTHEW MCKNIGHT
Creative Writing
Matthew McKnight is from Washington, DC, and has lived in Rutherfordton for four years. He works as a Senior Editor at Grist, a publication that reports on climate change and environmental justice. Matthew is excited to create an environment for learning and collaborative thinking with the Creative Writing students. Matthew resides in Rutherfordton with his wife and daughter.
JESSICA MOREHOUSE
S.T.E.A.M & Preschool
Before entering the public school system as a professionally certified science teacher in Florida, I worked in nature centers, zoos, wildlife refuges, and even laboratories! These experiences have provided me with endless inspiration for engaging lessons - I love watching my students get excited about the same things that ignited my own natural curiosity all those years ago! While my degrees are in both science and education (B.S. in Psychobiology with Animal Behavior emphasis, and M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction with Biology emphasis), I am also a lover of the visual arts. Parenting a little one of my own drives my passion for blending science and art instruction in a way that creates meaningful and memorable learning opportunities - I look forward to serving your family with enriching programs!
JOHN MILLER
Guidance Counselor and Mentor
John has more than 21 years of experience working with youth. He attended Gardner-Webb University for both his undergraduate degree (Religious Education) and his Master of Divinity Degree (Pastoral Care and Counseling). He serves at Blue Ridge Hope as the Director of Community Engagement and leads an afterschool program called HOPEworks for middle and high school students. Additionally, he is the youth minister at FBCR. In his free time, John delights in playing the guitar, diving into the worlds of Lord of the Rings and Marvel, and savoring Starbucks coffee. Happily married to Mindy, they have three children: Hayden, Mackenzie, and Abby.
DARBY LAMBERT
World Geography
Hi, friends! I am Darby Lambert (Ms. Darby). I remember being a kid and pretending to be a teacher, so I am grateful to have the opportunity now to teach World Geography! I was homeschooled my whole life. I love to sing and play guitar, and I have a guinea pig named Cowey, who my little brothers have nicknamed "the little cutester" :). I recently spent a week serving the people of Guatemala. I am currently studying human services at ICC and plan to attend Appalachian State next year. I am looking forward to spending time with your kiddos interacting, trying new things, and having fun through learning!
DONNA SAND
Math Masters, Pre-Algebra, Algebra, Lego Math
I have a Masters Degree in Elementary Education and 6-9th grades Mathematics Education. I knew I would be a teacher since I was very young. Over the past years I have taught Middle School Math and History, I have been the Director of a Licensed Child Care Center. I have taught preschool and worked in Children’s Christian Ministries. Currently I am the Children’s Minister at First Baptist Rutherfordton. I love working with kids and helping them discover their own brilliance. I love most things vintage, especially old farm house finds and funky stuff from the 1960s and 70s. I sell vintage items at two local businesses. My husband, Mike and I are crazy dog people and have too many!
STEPHANIE WILDE
Writing & Cooking
My name is Stephanie Wilde! I have a background in education and have always felt called to work with children and adolescents. I love watching kids learn and make connections and discover their passions. I’m super excited to take on the cooking classes this year. I have been passionate about cooking since I was a kid. I believe all aspects of our health begin with our food choices and love to see the empowerment that comes from learning how to prepare your own food. My husband and I grow much of our own food including chickens, dairy goats, fruit trees, and veggie gardens. My educational background is in speech language pathology. I have experience working in both private settings and public middle and high schools. I am also a mama to 3 daughters and plan to homeschool my youngest. My husband and I and our 17 month old daughter Zoe, have settled here in WNC on 46 acres. A fun fact, I have climbed Half Dome in Yosemite 3 times and it’s one of my favorite all time places!
ANGIE MALAN
IEWriting
I am a well seasoned homeschool mama of three girls, wife of 25 years to Jaison, and Mimi to our grandbaby Rowan. I’m a part time phlebotomist and birth doula, in addition to Mom and grand-babysitter. We began homeschooling our oldest when she was 3 years old and have never looked back. It was the most beautiful choice our family made and we’re so thankful that we did (I said beautiful, not always easy!). Kailey is 20 and a graduate of our homeschool. Emma and Lucy are teenagers and actively involved in everything. We are part of Rutherford Stage, doing theater as a family and helping with all the behind the scenes things that make community theater happen. We love our church family at Adaville, doing pottery, aerial arts, gardening, sourdough, travelling…all the things! I have always been far better with words than numbers and enjoy teaching children and teenagers the process of writing. I started teaching children other than my own as a Classical Conversations Essentials tutor in 2011 and have been at it ever since. If you need to be reminded that simple is okay and your kids are going to turn out fine, come sit by me!
FRANCESCA STENARD
Little Chefs & Italian Basics
Hi, I’m Francesca! I’m a homeschool mama to Sage and Ember, passionate about creating a rich, hands-on learning experience both at home and out in the world. I come from a family of educators and have a background in early childhood education, including Montessori preschool experience.
I fell in love with Italian while studying abroad in Florence for a year and became fluent (and maybe a little obsessed with Italian food along the way!). Cooking is one of my favorite ways to show love, and I especially enjoy making meals with my family. There’s nothing better than gathering in the kitchen, creating something delicious, and sharing it together.
I’m so excited to be teaching Little Chefs and Italian Basics at Agapé, where I get to combine my love for food, language, and hands-on learning. I can’t wait to share these experiences with you all!
BRITNEY GIBSON
ART, GET MUDDY, POTTERY
As a child, I always envisioned myself as an art teacher! I studied Art Education at Mars Hill College, but my dreams changed when I discovered the joy of working with clay.
Growing up, my passion for creating mud pies was a reflection of my true self! Moving from Florida to North Carolina in my high school years my love of nature helped guide me to my love of clay as well. My educational journey became focused solely on art, leading me to pursue my dream of owning a community pottery studio.
Now, nearly two years in, I absolutely love what I do! It's incredibly rewarding to witness others unleash their imagination and creativity, especially those who believe they aren't creative.
CARRIE LAUGHRIDGE
Poetry Teatime, Reading Retreat, Shakespeare Experience
Carrie loves getting lost in a book. She relished working in libraries while earning degrees in literature at Wingate and Wake Forest University, and then spent 10 years sharing her love of reading and writing as a high school teacher in Indian Trail, NC. Homeschooling was an unexpected rabbit hole that has led to the most wonderful adventure! After a couple of years of wandering, Carrie and her husband, Todd, settled in Rutherfordton with their 3 girls and are excited about every new chapter of creating a home together. Carrie and her family are the most happy when exploring - either in the glorious outdoors or the pages of a book, with a cup of tea in hand!
LINDSAY BAUER
Math Masters, Pre-Algebra, Algebra, Intro to Physics, Lego Math
Lindsay grew up in the Pacific Northwest and lived in California for many years before moving to North Carolina in 2012 after meeting her husband. She went to Portland State University where she earned degrees in Fine Arts Painting, Environmental Sciences, Art History and minored in Physics and Italian. She works as a recruiter in the accounting industry and has a homestead full of trees and plants as well as ducks and chickens. She loves to garden and cook with the veggies she grows. One of her favorite things to do is to explore the woods where she lives with her 3 children and her husband, she finds that nature is her best teacher, mentor and medicine. Lindsay loves arts and sciences and shares that with her homeschooled kids and now yours!
KRYSTINA KILPIN
Health & Nutrition
Hello families, I'm Krystina. I've always had an interest in health and natural remedies. In my youth, I would often read my mom's anatomy books. In college, (where I met my husband, over 18 years ago) I briefly studied music before switching my focus to study nutrition, anatomy and biology, obtaining my CNA license and BLS certification. I worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant/Patient Care Technician for 5 years in two different Florida hospitals with 1 year in Trauma, 4 years in Cardiac and Stroke, along a small stint in home healthcare. I put away my scrubs when my husband and I moved to North Carolina 10 years ago, where I traded patient care for child care. I worked as a Nanny while we grew our own family. I'm now a stay-at-home mom to 3 adventurous boys on a farm in Rutherfordton. I enjoy gardening, reading and singing with my husband on our folk music project, writing children's books, nature walks and picnics. Natural Healthcare has played a vital role in my life while raising my children. I hope to inspire others to see just how amazing our bodies are.
CINDY SEALY
Guitar & Ukulele
HI, my name is Cindy, and I am a singer, songwriter, and guitarist who also plays ukulele and piano. I studied music composition, theory, and voice at Blue Bear School of Music in San Francisco, jazz guitar with Marc Yaxley, and voice with Raz Kennedy. I grew up taking private lessons on piano. Touring, solo and in groups, throughout the Southeast and West coast helped hone my skills as a musician and songwriter.
For the past 25 years, I have been teaching guitar, ukulele, piano, and voice in Brevard, NC. I love teaching and sharing music, especially with young students, as it helps foster joy and confidence. My students continually teach and inspire me as well. I focus on fundamentals, techniques, and music theory to give my students the freedom and understanding to explore different styles of music.
JEFF HODGE
Guitar & Ukulele
Jeff is a singer songwriter, guitarist, and multi-instrumentalist native to Rutherford County. When he was 13, he learned a few chords on an old guitar and just never could put it down after that. What Jeff enjoys most about teaching is helping students find their own unique style and expression. He holds a degree in Music from Berea College. Jeff has spent much time in Thailand where he met his wife. They reside in Forest City with their two children.
HOOPER STEVENS
Musical Theater, Voice lessons
Hooper Stevens is a baritone who has performed on stages across Florida, Tennessee, North and South Carolina. He got his Bachelors degree in Vocal Performance at FSU and met his partner Abbie at UT Knoxville where they both received their Masters of Music degree. Hooper now lives in Greenville SC and hopes to join the Greenville chorale as well as perform locally and teach.
JAY BECK
West African Drumming & Earth Leaders
Jay is a percussionist, vocalist, drum-maker, storyteller, actor and educator who has been performing, teaching, touring and recording professionally for many years visiting 15 countries through four continents. He has performed with numerous groups including Madison Greene, Woodspeak, Unidos da Filadelfia, Phillybloco, Netos de Kansala West African Drum and Dance ensemble, Psalters and BEAST. He is a founder of Holy Fool Arts, a core organizer for the Carnival de Resistance and collaborates with his partner Tevyn East. He has studied West African traditional drumming under Mamady Keita, Babatunde Olatunji and Anssumane Silla. He has studied Afro-Cuban drumming under Baba Clemente (Chuckie) Joseph and Brazilian samba drumming under Michael Stevens and Junior Teixeira and traditional Sicilian frame drumming with Alessandra Belloni. He has taught cross cultural percussion workshops as well as using the arts for rites of passage work and cross cultural understanding from age levels of elementary school students to university students as well as at music festivals and after school programs for youth through Artwell in Philadelphia. He currently resides and works at the Dreaming Stone Arts and Ecology Center in traditional Cherokee land now called Rutherfordton, NC, in the Broad river watershed in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains
